Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Chelik.
Hi Angel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m the owner of Workbetter Wellness, a San Diego-based corporate wellness company. I started my fitness career in college when I got my first group fitness certification. Little did I know, my love for educating and motivating people would lead to a full time career in fitness, spanning almost 30 years.
I’ve worked in various facets of education. During my tenure in public schools, I spent five years in Baltimore, MD, teaching elementary PE, and 13 years as a professor teaching in the Health and Exercise Science Dept at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA. It was my move to San Diego that really propelled my fitness career. I started working for the American Council on Exercise, one of the largest certifying bodies in the fitness industry; certifying Personal Trainers, Group Fitness Instructors and Health Coaches. Today, I still consult for this organization in several capacities; writing content for their manuals and blogs and serving as a Subject Matter Expert in the development of their exams.
In 2010, after delivering a Lunch and Learn to a San Diego based biotech, I realized the need for corporate wellness programming. If employers wanted to minimize sick days, lower insurance rates and have high producing/ functioning employees, they must invest in the well-being of their employees. Workbetter Wellness was founded, and today serves as one of the longest standing corporate wellness companies in San Diego.
In addition to teaching corporate classes, I have been instructing HIIT classes at world famous, Barry’s, for the last 15 years.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A recent Gallup poll stated that the number one workplace “want” for Gen Z and Millennials is an employer that cares about their well-being. This robust push from employees was not happening back in 2010 when I started Workbetter Wellness (WBW). Fifteen years ago, the workplace looked different. People went to work in the morning, left in the evening and then took care of their personal lives. I remember being in a meeting with an executive team discussing what type of programs WBW offered. The president said that he would never allow people to do yoga during the workday; they should be at their desks working. While that was shocking and sad for me to hear, I knew part of my job was to educate people on the ROI on these programs, and to measure things like employee morale and engagement not just absenteeism and healthcare costs.
Now, work culture is different. Workdays can be endless, Zoom meetings can happen at 6am. And with a massive shift of “return to office” employees are wondering how to manage it all. In 2025, a robust corporate wellness program can address the areas that employees need help in and therefore improve the quality of their lives, both in and out of the workplace. In my opinion, these program are vital to the success of a company today.
Not all executives and decision-makers are cheerleaders of these programs. There is definitely a difference in “having a program” and “having a program that is well-embedded in the culture of a company”. Wellness programs shouldn’t be a box to check to make your company more attractive to potential new hires. They need to be supported and encouraged by the executive team. For example, if you are offering a group fitness class at 5pm, there should be a general consensus to not have meetings at 5pm, so that all employees have a opportunity to attend. Buy in from the executive team facilitates participation.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Workbetter Wellness?
Workbetter Wellness is a San Diego based wellness company with a mission to help businesses elevate the well-being of employees while fostering loyal relationships across the organization. We help reduce turnover and invigorate office culture, enhancing work-life balance at all levels.
We have three wellness areas we believe are key to employee health and happiness: movement-based classes, health coaching and social engagement activities .
Sedentary employees are more likely to be depressed, gain weight and have a harder time focusing. We provide exercise instruction both on-site and online that are accessible to all skill levels. Whether it’s a circuit training, yoga or meditation, our programs positively impact the mind and body of every team member. Additionally, I think one of the greatest outcomes of these classes is the camaraderie built among participants. Some clients we work with have 500-600 employees, so you can imagine how many departments they have. If it wasn’t for these classes, these employees might never interact! It’s pretty awesome to see friendships built as a result of a weekly workout.
I recently read an article that talked about the loss of “gym culture” and explained that as smart home fitness tech (in-home bikes, apps) increases, we start to trade community for convenience. People once trained together, spotted each other, and talked between sets—with in home workouts, you lose all of that. That really resonated with me because I grew up loving getting to know fellow “gym rats”. Seeing first-hand how Workbetter Wellness classes puts the focus back on community and connection is really fulfilling.
With health coaching, it’s clear that personal wellness impacts your work and home life. Our health coaches work one on one to help you assess your readiness for change and help design an intervention plan for long-lasting positive behavior modification. We also offer group health coaching sessions that help build rapport and accountability while creating a sense of community in which employees learn and encourage each another to try new things.
Social engagement activities form an integral part of a company’s culture. It improves team and individual performance, decreases burnout, and promotes innovation. Examples of some of our social events are recess, wellness workshops and field day activities designed to engage and uplift employees.
What I’m most proud about is the longevity of Workbetter Wellness. Our instructors are not only the most seasoned and sought-after in the city, but they have a genuine passion for prioritizing connecting with class participants. Some of our clients have been working with us for more than 10 years. At one particular company, I’ve been there longer that most of the employees! What a testament to the value of our classes and the friendships built amongst the group.
Another reason for our success is the diverse professionals that teach our workshops. While I’m an expert in exercise, I stick in my lane. When it comes to the field of psychology, nutrition, financial wellness, mindfulness, our team of professionals are experts on their respective lanes. Together, based on the needs of the employees, we create a comprehensive program that can be delivered onsite or virtual.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
For people starting out in the wellness/fitness space, I think the most important thing to focus on is building relationships with your clients. Of course, you want to be able to program and teach a smart class, but it’s what you do before and after class that can really make a positive impact on the participants.
Being there early to answer questions about someone’s injury, or to ease their anxiety about trying a new fitness class is key to creating a welcoming environment. Connect with people DURING class by saying their name and acknowledging what they’re doing well. After class, be available for questions and allow time to connect and learn something new about someone. These are the things that have brought me to my success today. You won’t have to spend money on marketing if you do these things because your connections with people will provide so many new opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.workbetterwellness.com
- Instagram: @angelchelik
- Facebook: achelik
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelchelik/
